If we had gone shopping together five, ten or even fifteen years ago, I never ever would have considered this darling little romper, or one like it. No insult, I would have just wondered what it would be like to be comfortable in shorts, and walked past the rack. If you had asked me point blank, I would have told you that I ‘didn’t do shorts.’
While we were in New York, though it was for Fall Fashion Week, the weather was unseasonably hot. Since it felt like midsummer, we wanted to take as much advantage of it as we could. So one morning, instead of heading straight to fashion shows, we walked to a little bakery, and made our way into Central Park and to the boathouse.
Man, oh man, it was good to be home in New Orleans. The official excuse for the trip was a wedding, for one of my college roommates and sorority sisters. But we always want to spend time with David’s mom, have friends and family to love on, new babies to meet and kiss, so our weekend in NOLA was a long and busy one.
Even in during the craziest of weeks, in the busiest cities, I do my best to find quiet time. Don’t get me wrong- I love New York City, but sometimes the tall buildings and the crowds can make me feel just a little bit claustrophobic. So I make time to catch my breath, like the morning David and I woke up early to walk down the Highline.
We are back from New York and the madness that was NYFW! I was pretty quiet about it during the lead-up, simply because it came together so quickly. But it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my career and life thus far and I’m so excited to share it with y’all.
The Shopstyle Social House event was actually the first invitation I received for the week in New York, and I was so excited about it. A blogger’s oasis in a gorgeous space, I was looking forward to connecting with amazing people and brands, and it totally didn’t disappoint!
Brands like Neiman Marcus, Marks & Spencer, Luisaviaroma, Sam Edelman and more all provided tons of clothes and accessories for us to choose from and borrow to wear for the week. Going through those racks was so fun… and if you follow my instagram (specifically my stories!) you saw the sneak peeks and know I went home with some seriously good stuff!
The glass houses was so perfectly decorated for this event, with lots of little photo-ready spaces. Hallmark was providing the prettiest cards and mailing them for us, so I loved sending a little love from the big apple.
Gigi NY was foil-pressing initials onto crossbody bags, while Sole Society monogrammed social handles onto denim scarves. {use code NYFW16 for 20% off madison and catie bags at GigiNY }. Baublebar gifted us chokers, and I felt all pampered with makeup by Le Metier de Beaute and hair by R + Co.
They also had a photography team on deck, providing rooftop mini- shoots… pretty much a blogger’s dream, realized. The below three images are by the talented Ugla Hauk.
That black Trina Turk tote was one of the items i borrowed for the week- i really was glad
I think my favorite part of the event was running into all the darling girls that I’ve gotten to know over Instagram!
Jamie (in blue) was such sweetheart, and Abby (in that killer Milly sequined dress) is a good friend- we had a sleepover one night. It seemed like I ran into Kat and Taylor (with the gorge strawberry blonde mane) at lots of different events. And Stefanie is the cutest- she made her green outfit!
tank || cape, under $70 || shorts || clutch c/0 August California || tote c/o Trina Turk and Shopstyle || heels || choker c/o baublebar || earrings || ring
We did so much in NYC- it was amazing and exhausting! Obviously, lots of good stuff coming soon to the blog…
loveRavayna
This blush and black ensemble has been one of my favorites lately. I’ve worn it to multiple birthday dinners, including my own, and to a handful of pageant events in different cities. When I like an outfit, I have no problem repeating and remixing for different audiences.
One of those times, before our friend Mike’s birthday dinner, I got to feel all fancy as Janah got my face all glowy and prettified. It felt so luxurious to relax and laugh while someone else did the work, and she was so fun to hang with!
We went for a dewy look, nothing too heavy, and I loved the way it all came out. I’m wearing these three highlighters, this lipstick, and double-stacked lashes.
I’d been lusting after this Givenchy cape when I found this cape blazer online, at Target of all places! It’s from the Who What Wear collection there. Once I spotted the blazer, I scoured the collection and grabbed the skirt (the blush is sold out!) as well. Each was under $40, so pretty painless.
Y’all know I’m all about the accessories. I’ve been obsessed with my north star earrings since I got them for my birthday, and I added a pearl ring as well. My heels are Betsey Johnson from several years ago, but the blush straps, black lace accent and classic style are totally still in my rotation.
similar skirt, shinier, maxi version under $40 // top // similar cape blazer, another only $26! // ring // earrings // purse //
loveRavayna
One of my sweet sorority sisters got married at the Temecula Creek Inn a few weeks ago. We made a spring weekend getaway of it, and it was so lovely. The drive was short, but the weekend was seriously relaxing.
romper (on sale!) // jacket // similar bag, 2, 3, lust // old rampage oxfords, similar
The property was so lovely, especially in the peaceful mornings. We took advantage of it, and went for an early-morning walkabout with our coffee. I especially loved the adorable papasan chairs… I want one so bad!
One of my bestie-bridesmaids had flown in to stay with us for the long weekend, and it was a treasure to get to spend the time with Shelley. We headed into old town Temecula to visit the farmer’s market, one of my favorite weekend activities, especially when out of town.
While walking to the market, we came upon a dog adoption tent. Sweet Violet and I quickly got acquainted, but our enthusiastic attempts to convince David to be her daddy were quickly shot down.
I’m an especial softie for farmers market floral stands- I stop by our Sunday morning one mostly every weekend I’m home. I love shopping locally, especially when the benefits are so beautiful. I also tasted nearly every flavored honey, taking home a bottle of rich purple loganberry honey.
Michelle verbatim told me to ‘rein it in’ at the succulent stand- my obsession has been so intense lately! We were all hangry, so we headed to Mo’s Egg House for a yummy old fashioned diner brunch. When we returned to the Inn, we wandered for a bit, sitting and playing (i.e. losing) tic-tac-toe before heading back to the room to relax before the wedding.
loveRavayna
Sometimes in life you’ve got to stop and smell the roses. These, in a yard along the canals in Venice, were amazing- they reminded me of the roses in my bridal bouquet. Sure, I’m wishing I was enjoying springtime in the Italian Venice, but Californian Venice has its own special beauty. The paths and bridges are shared by locals and visitors on foot and bike, and it’s a lovely place to go for a wander.
We spent some time in Venice after a tsukemen ramen stop, showing one of my college besties around. It was kindof shocking how it was broiling hot and sunny leaving our house in the valley, but cool and very windy out closer to the water and near the canals. The neighborhood is always so pretty though, that the weather matters not.
I’ll admit I was over-anxious to wear this dress. I picked it up at Anthropologie, and am a bit obsessed with the raw edge of the midi skirt and the slash pockets. But I was in between sizes, and opted up; this denim number has a far more flattering fit now that it’s been nipped around the waist and bust, and doesn’t have a saggy kangaroo pouch ?.
I’ve been so into changing up my jewelry game as my hair color evolves, and Rocksbox has been perfect for that. I put these Kendra Scott earrings and wrist chain on my wishlist, and was excited to see them show up in my mailbox! My stylist sent them with this sterling Gorjana lariat, and I was kindof in love with all of it. I couldn’t help myself- I kept the earrings when I sent the Rocksbox back yesterday! The deal was just too tempting. The retail is $85, Rocksbox price is $68, and monthly shine spend discount dropped them another $10, and so I added them to the collection. If you like jewelry, or mail, or free stuff, you should probably use my code RAVAYNAXOXO for a month of free designer jewelry signing up for a Rocksbox delivery.
denim midi // similar wedges, 2, flats // earrings // bracelet // lariat // nails
loveRavayna
